Journal of Student Research 2015

233

An Unsuccessful Empirical Study of Problem Solving Via Concept- Mapping

An example (learning curve) of a regular problem versus a PCM problem follows: A.Regular Problem (non-concept mapping)

Problem Category: Learning Curve Important Information:

Unit # Cost 1. $10,000

2. $8,300 3. $7,300 4. $6,200 5. $6,000 6. $5,700 7. $5,300 8. $5,100

Problem: 1. What are the % learning curve characteristics? a.Give answer in “%” 2.What are the estimated average costs for the first 500 golf carts? a.Give answer as “average cost per golf cart” 3.What are the costs to produce the 500th golf cart? a.Give answer in “$ for 500th golf cart”

Input Data-Calculation Approach:

1.% learning curve calculation

a.% calculation of unit 2 divided by unit 1 b.% calculation of unit 4 divided by unit 2 c.% calculation of unit 8 divided by unit 4 d.Etc., now average the above calculations and divide by the number

of calculations.

2.Average cost of “x” number of units

a.Use cumulative values table to obtain factor (learning curve % and

# units that are of interest)= fc

b.(unit #1 cost)*fc (see above) c.Divide the “b” answer by the # of units that you are interested in for

the average/unit.